U.S. patent number 3,767,225 [Application Number 05/068,444] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-23 for construction for safety air cushion system comprising dual bags, nozzle, and air aspiration.
Invention is credited to Bernard Mazelsky.
United States Patent |
3,767,225 |
Mazelsky |
October 23, 1973 |
CONSTRUCTION FOR SAFETY AIR CUSHION SYSTEM COMPRISING DUAL BAGS,
NOZZLE, AND AIR ASPIRATION
Abstract
The invention is an improvement in inflatable air cushion
systems for use as devices to protect passengers in vehicles.
Pressure is transferred from an elongated gas container through a
nozzle to an inflatable bag or envelope for inflating it. Openings
are formed for transferring gas from the container through the
nozzle by means of an explosive charge. The improvements of the
herein invention reside in that the dual bags are provided
including a second positioned to prevent the motion of the
passenger's legs which in turn prevents "submarining" of the
occupant. The nozzle is dual to simultaneously inflate both bags.
The large bag is provided with a flutter valve through which air is
aspirated to assist in inflating the bag to thereby reduce the
volume of pressurized air required for inflating.
Inventors: |
Mazelsky; Bernard (W. Covina,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
22082627 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/068,444 |
Filed: |
August 31, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/729; 141/100;
137/850 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
21/233 (20130101); B60R 21/206 (20130101); B60R
2021/23169 (20130101); B60R 2021/23332 (20130101); Y10T
137/7886 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
21/16 (20060101); B60R 21/20 (20060101); B60r
021/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/15AB,15B
;244/31,138 ;137/525.3,525.1 ;206/DIG.30 ;141/100,10,189,191 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Betts; Kenneth H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a safety device for human protection comprising: an envelope
means inflatable with a gas whereby to form a resilient cushion and
having an elongate container under pressure with means to provide
elongated passageway means along the length of the container for
transferring gas from the container to the envelope means for
inflation, the improvement comprising there being plural envelopes
inflatable from said container and positioned to form protective
means for a human, said transfer means comprising a plural transfer
nozzle constructed to separately deliver gas to said plural
inflatable envelopes, said transfer nozzle having inlet means
arranged whereby gas from the container for all of said plural
envelopes is received through the same inlet means, said nozzle
having an intermediate septum, one envelope being secured to a part
of the nozzle on one side of the septum.
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said septum has a passageway
therethrough providing communication from one part of the nozzle to
the other.
3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said passageway has a flutter
valve associated with it.
4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said one envelope is secured to
the nozzle to peripheral edges of the nozzle.
5. In a safety device for human protection comprising: an envelope
means inflatable with a gas whereby to form a resilient cushion and
having an elongated container under pressure with means to provide
elongated passageway means along the length of the container for
transferring gas from the container to the envelope means for
inflation, the improvement comprising there being plural envelopes
inflatable from said container and positioned to form protective
means for a human, said transfer means comprising a plural transfer
nozzle constructed to separately deliver gas to said plural
inflatable envelopes, said transfer nozzle having inlet means
arranged whereby gas from the container for all of said plural
envelopes is received through the same inlet means, said inflatable
envelopes having portions secured to the nozzle, the nozzle having
grooves therein and spring retainer means engageable in the grooves
whereby to secure edge portions of the envelope between the spring
retainer means and the nozzle.
6. In a safety device for human protection having an envelope
inflatable with a gas to form a resilient cushion; elongated
container means for gas under pressure; means to provide elongated
passageways along the length of the container for transferring gas
from the container to the envelope for inflating it, the
improvement comprising means for aspirating air into the envelope
upon initial transfer of gas into it from the container to thereby
assist in inflating it, said transfer means comprising a nozzle
constructed to have plural discharge outlets having said envelope
connected to one of said outlets and a second envelope connected to
the other outlet and means whereby gas can be transferred from one
of said nozzle outlets to the other.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to improvements in inflatable safety air
cushion systems of the type adapted for use in vehicles to protect
passengers in the event of accidents.
A system of this type is disclosed in the application of the herein
inventor, Ser. No. 885,601 filed Dec. 16, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No.
3,680,886. In the system of the prior application, an elongated
tank is provided with elongated transfer means in the form of a
nozzle for transferring gas from the tank to the inflatable bag or
envelope. A relatively thin diaphragm is formed in the tank which
is ruptured or opened by an explosive charge for transferring gas
to the inflatable envelope.
The herein invention provides improvements in the safety system. In
the improved system, dual inflatable bags or envelopes are
provided. More specifically, a second inflatable bag or envelope is
provided which is smaller and which is inflated in a position in
front of or ahead of a passenger's legs to give him adequate
protection in that area. The second and smaller bag is preferably
one that is inflated to be harder or firmer in order to effectuate
its purpose. An improved nozzle is provided and constructed to
accommodate the system to the additional bag. The nozzle is
provided with an intermediate septum dividing it into two parts so
that one bag is inflated by a flow of gas through one part of the
nozzle and the other bag is inflated by a flow of gas through the
other part of the nozzle. A passageway is provided through the
septum of the nozzle and controlled by a flutter valve so that
inflating gas can pass through this passageway for purposes of
inflating the smaller bag. This construction minimizes
modifications necessary to adapt or accommodate the system to the
second bag.
Additional improvements in the system residing in that the larger
bag is provided with an aspirator valve through which adjacent air
is aspirated into the bag to assist in inflating it upon initial
inflation of the bag by detonation of the explosive charge and the
beginning of the transfer of gas into the bag. The aspirator means
is preferably in the form of a flutter valve. This improved
construction makes it possible to inflate the bag to the required
pressure and within the required time with less pressure in the
pressure supply tank since a substantial part of the inflating
volume is aspirated in from adjacent air.
In the light of the foregoing, the objects of the invention will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art. A primary object is
to enhance the utility and effectiveness of safety systems of this
type by providing protection not only for the upper part of the
passenger's body, but also to prevent "submarining" of the
body.
Another object is to provide means for effectuating the previously
stated object comprising a second additional inflatable envelope or
bag which is inflatable from the same source of pressure and
through the same transfer nozzle means modified to accommodate the
purpose.
Another object is to provide transfer nozzle means adapted to serve
the purposes of the preceding object comprising a transfer nozzle
having an intermediate septum with a passageway therethrough so
that upon detonation of the charge which opens the gas passageways,
inflating gas can flow into both of the inflatable bags or
envelopes.
Another object is to provide improved means for inflating a bag or
envelope in a system of the type described by way of aspirating
external air into the bag for inflating it upon initial transfer of
inflating gas to the envelope through the transfer nozzle.
Another object is to provide aspirating means as in the foregoing
object comprising a passageway in the inflatable envelope
controlled by a flutter valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view showing the installed position of the
safety inflatable air cushion device in a vehicle;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the dual
nozzle of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a detail view of the aspirator flutter valve;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tank nozzle and bag assembly;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the aspirator flutter valve;
and
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the securement of the bags to the
nozzle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical installation illustrating a safety
device or system as indicated at 12. Upon being activated, the
device inflates to a position or positions as illustrated in FIG.
1. As shown in FIG. 2, the gas container 14 of the device is
cylindrical, larger bag 16 and smaller bag 16a normally being
folded or collapsed with the diffuser nozzle 18 between the
container and the folded bags. The arrangement as shown is
preferable to arrangements wherein the gas container is within a
bag.
The system is controlled by a deceleration responsive sensor that
may be mounted on the tank as shown whereby to respond rapidly to
deceleration forces when the vehicle enters an impact situation.
Sensor 20 may be of a convention or typical type energizable by way
of battery 22 or may be of a type as shown in application Ser. No.
65,019 filed on Aug. 19, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,181, this
application having common ownership with the herein application now
U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,181.
FIG. 1 shows the larger bag 16 inflated in a position in front of
the passenger. The bag, of course, may have a transverse dimension
sufficient to provide safety for one or more passengers in the
front seat. The smaller bag 16a is preferably firmer and inflates
into a position ahead of the passenger's legs.
FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 shows a preferred arrangement of the parts.
The diffuser nozzle 18 has a rear part 26, the diffuser diverging
as shown to the bags 16 and 16a. As may be seen, the tank or
container 14 is elongated as is the diffuser nozzle 18 extending
along the length of the bags. The gas container and diffuser nozzle
can of course be made to be less than or coextensive in length with
the bags. Tank 14 is cylindrical having welded hemispherical ends
as shown at 15 for maximum strength. The ends are concave as shown.
Numeral 17 designates a threaded fitting in the end or head 15.
The tank 14 and the nozzle 18 are fabricated as separate parts and
in the preferred form of the invention, the parts as shown in FIG.
5 are extrusions formed of suitable material for the purpose. The
use of the extrusion process in the fabrication of course
facilitates production. The nozzle assembly includes two end
pieces, one of which is designated by the numeral 30 in the
figures. These pieces are curved as shown, and these pieces are
secured to straight edges as shown at 32 and 34 at the ends of the
main nozzle part and they are secured to the tank 14 by welding as
shown at 36 in FIG. 2.
The tank 14 and the nozzle 18 are mutually configurated as may be
seen in FIG. 5 to provide a tongue and groove joint as between
these parts. The joint can be made by sliding these parts
relatively axially with respect to each other. It will be observed
that the base part of the nozzle 18 has an inward arcuate
depression as may be seen at 40. On opposite sides, it has the
grooves as shown at 42 and 42a, extending along its length. Both of
these grooves are dovetailed at the base part of the groove as may
be seen. The tank 14 on that side on which the nozzle is joined is
formed as may be observed at 46. At the inside of this portion, is
an arcuate depression 48 extending along the length of the tank.
The portion 46 is formed to provide openings or receptacles
designated at 52 and 52a. The openings are within parts 53 and 53a.
The tank 14 has extending dovetailed tongues 54 and 54a which are
shaped to be received and to fit into the dovetailed grooves 42 and
42a in the nozzle base 26. The nozzle 18 has a neck part which is
between the openings or grooves 42 and 42a as designated at 56 and
extending from this narrow part are extensions or tongues as
designated at 58 and 58a which are shaped to be received in the
openings or grooves 52 or 52a in the tank 14. As pointed out, the
joint between the tank 14 and the nozzle 18 may be formed by
sliding these parts relatively to each other axially to form a
joint as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. It will be observed that the
recess 48 is formed in the part 26 of the tank 14 that register
with the arcuate recess 40 in the nozzle 18.
As pointed out, the nozzle 18 is formed by extrusion. After being
extruded, spaced elongated holes or openings as designated at 62
are formed in the narrow neck portion 56 of the nozzle as shown.
These openings may be readily formed by means of conventional
machine tools which simply punch these holes or openings in spaced
positions. These openings are for the transfer or transmission of
gas under pressure from the tank into the envelope for inflating as
will be described. The manufacture process is greatly facilitated
by providing these openings in the nozzle member itself rather than
that they be formed in the tank. The ribs between openings are
imperatively necessary to provide the necessary strength.
The material of the tank at the position of the arcuate depression
48 forms a thin diaphragm of arcuate cross section, as shown, which
is opposite the arcuate depression 40 in the nozzle 18 as
previously described. An elongated shaped charge (not shown) is
positioned along the length of the bottom of the arcuate recess 40
in the nozzle, that is, in a position along the thin diaphragm 48a
formed in the part 26 of the tank 14 as described. The shaped
charge may be of a known commercial type marketed as Linear Shaped
Charge.
The construction of the container and nozzle so far described
corresponds to that in the companion application Ser. No. 57,525
filed on July 23, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,647,999 issued on Mar.
7, 1972, this patent having common ownership with the present
application.
The nozzle 18 as may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 is constructed as a
plural or dual nozzle. Between the sides of the nozzle 18 there is
an intermediate septum designated at 66 which in effect makes it a
dual nozzle. Bag 16 has the peripheral edges of its opening secured
to the outside peripheral edges of the nozzle as will be described
in more detail presently. The side parts of the nozzle are
designated at 68 and 68a. The bag 16a has the peripheral edges of
its opening secured to the peripheral edges of the side 68a of the
nozzle and the septum 66 as may be observed in FIG. 5. Provided in
septum 66 is an angular slot opening 72 in which is fitted a
flutter valve shown more in detail in FIG. 4. The flutter valve
comprises an elongated channel member 74 having a peripheral flange
76. The channel member 74 fits into the slot 72, and the flange 76
is flush against the surface of the septum 66. Attached to the end
of the channel member 74 is the flutter valve, as designated at 80,
which is of cross sectional shape to fit over the channel member
74. It may be made of a suitable material such as neoprene coated
nylon, and extending from its two sides are flexible lips 82 and 84
which normally lie flush against each other, but which can be
opened by pressure to allow gas or air to flow through the flutter
valve and into the smaller bag 16a. The flutter valve, of course,
prevents return of air from the bag 16a to the nozzle. Adjacent to
the opening in the member 74 is a vane 86 extending from the septum
66 positioned to form a baffle whereby air or gas passing from the
tank 14 through the nozzle is deflected and caused to go through
the flutter valve 74 into the bag 16a. Thus, it may be seen that
the bag 16a may be inflated at the same time as bag 16.
The system is provided with means whereby the bag 16 is assisted in
inflation by aspirating air into it. The purpose of this is to make
it possible to reduce the size of the pressure tank or vessel
required for inflation purposes. The aspirator is in the form of an
aspirator flutter valve provided in a side of the bag 16. It is
designated generally by the numeral 90, and it is shown in more
detail in FIG. 6. An elongated flat frame 92 is provided on the
outside of the bag 16 and a similar elongated frame 94 is provided
on the inside, these frames circumscribing the aspirator opening 96
in the bag 16. The frame 94 has an inwardly extending flange 100.
Numeral 102 designates the flutter valve member having a shape to
receive and be engaged on flange 100 which is continuous as shown
in FIG. 5. Extending from the frame member 94 are vanes or baffle
members 106 which extend into the flutter valve 102. The side parts
of the flutter valve 102 are extended as shown at 110 and 112,
these parts normally lying flush against each other but being
operable to separate to allow gas or air to pass through into the
bag 16 without permitting it to pass in the opposite direction.
In the operation of the aspirator flutter valve, it is to be
pointed out that when the system is fired it is by detonating the
shaped charge to allow transfer of gas from the tank through the
nozzle into the bag; and there is a shock wave which is such as to
produce a virtual vacuum in the bag 16 for the first few
milliseconds. At this time, there is atmospheric pressure of
approximately 15 lbs. per square inch in the vehicle outside the
bag. Thus, during the first few milliseconds of perhaps 15 or 20
milliseconds, the air in the car will be forced through the flutter
valve 90 to partly inflate the bag 16. This avoids the necessity of
having higher pressures in the tank to inflate the bag, and the
total volume of the tank may be less. This construction further
serves the purpose of alleviating pressure conditions in the
vehicle or in the environment which would otherwise become very
high when the bags are inflated. The bag 16 might, for example,
have a volume of nine or ten cubic feet and the small bag 16a, a
volume of one cubic foot. The size of the openings to the bags can,
of course, be readily calculated to determine optimum practical
sizes. About 3 feet of cubic air, for example, for inflating the
bag 16 might be aspirated through the aspirator valve in the bag
during an interval of 15 milliseconds.
Large bag 16 has one or more blow-out patches as designated at 116
in FIG. 1. When a passenger's body is accelerated and hits the bag
and starts to compress it, the blow-out patches may blow out at a
gauge pressure of 2 pounds per square inch, for example--that is, 2
pounds over atmospheric, thus relieving the pressure.
The inflatable envelopes or bag 16 and 16a can be made of any
suitable gas impervious fabric material. Preferably, the bags are
secured to the nozzle 18 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. The
bags can be folded or collapsed in a position adjacent to the
outlets of the nozzle 18. Extending completely around the periphery
of the nozzle discharge or outlet is formed a rib 120, the end of
the septum 66 having a similar rib 123. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional
view illustrating the securement of the bags to the sidewall 68a of
the nozzle. It will be observed that adjacent to the rib 120 there
is an inside groove 122 and an outside groove 124. Edge portions or
peripheral edges of the opening of bag 16 are inserted into the
peripheral groove 124 around the complete periphery of the nozzle.
Then, these edge portions are held in the groove by a continuous
flexible member in the groove as designated at 126. Provided in the
groove 124 is a metal angle member 130 as shown, the corner of
which bears against the fabric of the bag. Groove 122 is a
continuous one which extends around the inside of the septum 66 and
wall 68a of the nozzle as seen in FIG. 5. The peripheral edges
around the opening of bag 16a are fitted into the continuous groove
122; and then inserted into the groove is continuous flexible
member 134 which retains the bag edges in the groove. A metal
member 136 is provided in the groove bearing against the fabric of
the bag as shown in FIG. 7.
From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily
understand the nature and the construction of the invention and the
manner in which it realizes all of the objectives as set forth in
the foregoing. The construction is one particularly calculated as
set forth in the foregoing to simplify fabrication, production, and
assembly and at the same time to improve qualities of the finished
product from the standpoint of strength and economy.
The foregoing disclosure is representative of a preferred form of
the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather
than in a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full
scope of the claims appended thereto.
* * * * *